Avian Influenza (May 2026 Update): Recently, scientists confirmed that a small number of young northern elephant seals at Año Nuevo State Park tested positive for highly pathogenic avian influenza (H5N1), also known as bird flu.
This is the first time H5N1 has been detected in California’s marine mammal population, and the first time it has been detected in northern elephant seals. In Argentina in 2023, the disease caused mass die-offs of southern elephant seals. The northern elephant seals along the California coast appear healthy and are being closely monitored by experts.
What this means for people and pets:
The risk of H5N1 to the public remains very low. The most important thing you can do is help protect yourself and marine mammals by:
- Staying at least 150 feet away from seals and other marine mammals
- Never touching live or dead wildlife
- Keeping dogs leashed on or near beaches
- Reporting sick or injured marine mammals to The Marine Mammal Center hotline at 415-289-SEAL (7325)
For more information, please visit this webpage on H5N1 updates.
Incidents or emergencies could occur within the sanctuary, such as stranded or entangled marine animals, wildlife harassment, vessel sinkings or groundings, spills of oil or other hazardous materials, and more. If you encounter or witness any of these incidents within the sanctuary, please report them to the appropriate agency, entity, or organization. Please reference the table below to see who to contact depending on the type of incident.
When to Report an Emergency?
- A stranded or entangled animal
- Wildlife harassment
- A vessel emergency, grounding, or abandonment
- Debris, waste, or other hazardous materials being dumped or spilled
Use the table below as a guide to identify the appropriate personnel to notify in the event of an emergency.
Emergency or Marine Enforcement Issue
What Information Should You Report?
Provide the fullest possible account of the incident, including detailed information on the following (as relevant):
- Type and description of the incident or suspicious activity
- Location and time of activity
- Type of vehicle, vessel, animal, or substance involved
| Agency/Organization | Contact Information | Type of Incident | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| Californians Turn In Poachers & Polluters (CalTIP) | (888) 334-2258 | Poaching & Polluting |
Fishing out of season Taking more fish than the law allows Agricultural pollution, dumping of household waste, industrial spills |
| United States Coast Guard |
(310) 521-3600 (Sector LA/Long Beach emergency contact) Channel 16 Marine Band Radio |
Vessel emergency | Vessel sinking, grounding, or abandonment |
| National Response Center |
1-800-424-8802 (Hotline) |
Oil spill, chemical release, or maritime security incident |
All releases of hazardous substances Maritime reports of suspicious activity and security breaches |
| NOAA Fisheries Enforcement Hotline | Federal marine resource violations |
Federal marine resource violations; marine life disturbances, such as:
|
Wildlife Reporting Hotlines
What information should you report?
- species or description of the animal
- location, date and time the animal was last seen
- approximate size and condition of the animal (take a photo with a phone if possible)
- human interactions (evidence of ship strike, entangled, shooting, etc.)
Federal Contacts
| Agency/Organization | Contact Information | Type of Incident | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| NOAA Entanglement Reporting Hotline | 1-877-SOS-WHAL or 1-877-767-9425 |
Entangled whales |
Anywhere along the West Coast |
| NOAA West Coast Stranding Hotline | 866-767-6114 | Dead, injured, or stranded dolphins, porpoises, seals, or sea lions. See above for large whales. |
Anywhere along the West Coast |
Regional Contacts
| Agency/Organization | Contact Information | Type of Incident | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Channel Islands Marine & Wildlife Institute (CIMWI) | Live stranded marine mammals and sea turtles |
Santa Barbara County |
|
| Central California Marine Animal Response Team (CCMART) | Dead marine mammals and sea turtles |
Santa Barbara County and San Luis Obispo County |
|
| The Marine Mammal Center | (415) 289-7325 | Live stranded marine mammals and sea turtles |
San Luis Obispo County |
| Channel Islands Cetacean Research Unit | (805) 500-6220 | Dead stranded whales, dolphins, and porpoises |
Santa Barbara County and San Luis Obispo County |
| Santa Barbara Wildlife Care Network | SBWCN HELPline: (805) 681-1080 | Live terrestrial mammals or birds |
Santa Barbara County and Ventura County |
| Pacific Wildlife Care | (805) 543-9453 | Live terrestrial mammals (or birds) |
San Luis Obispo County |
Abandoned or Derelict Fishing Gear
| Agency/Organization | Contact Information | Type of Incident | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| NOAA Derelict Gear Hotline | Lost or derelict fishing gear at sea |
NA |